The Technology Evaluation for Environmental Risk Mitigation Principal Center (TEERM) was established in 1998 by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters and Kennedy Space Center, Florida. It is operated under KSC's Research & Technology Management Office. The TEERM program identifies and validates environment and energy technologies through joint activities that enhance NASA mission readiness and reduce risk while minimizing duplication and associated costs.

NASA has begun researching sustainable alternatives for the fossil fuels used in everyday life. Because NASA has researched sustainable engineering and energy to be used in space, it seems logical for them to use their knowledge to help solve current fuel problems on Earth.

NASA researchers have developed a plan to reduce both the temperature and energy consumption in major cities during the summer months. Researchers have found that dark roofs of buildings absorb heat during the day, causing the temperature to rise significantly during both the day and night. By covering the roofs in a bright color, or by covering them in plants, it can reduce the overall temperature of the city and help to alleviate the strain on energy sources.

Bloom Energy, in conjunction with Ames Research Center, has developed small, efficient fuel cells that can be used on long term space missions, such as human missions to Mars. Because of the effectiveness of the fuel cells Bloom Energy has now begun developing the technology for commercial use and believes within the next 10 years it will be cost-effective for homes.

NASA engineers are exploring a way to utilize car heat to make automobiles more efficient. Researchers are developing way to transfer heat emitted from cars into fuel, which would reduce the emissions produced by each car and would save the consumer money.

Johnson Space Center has partnered with EWB to bring NASA engineers and technology to communities that are underdeveloped. NASA engineers have traveled to Africa to help create sustainable systems that will deliver necessary resources to the community. Using technology developed by NASA, such as water-treatment systems, EWB can provide clean drinking water to those who would normally not have it.

NASA's sustainable systems focus on advanced technology and system engineering for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (Exploration Life Support) as well as sustainability projects supporting the green government initiative to develop cleaner and greener facilities.

NASA engineers along with world-class federal, industry and academic partners are working together to create the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen. Their work is looking for solutions to address substantial noise, emissions, efficiency, performance, and safety challenges.

NASA's Exploration Life Support program is working to develop advanced technologies and systems that support humans in extended space exploration. They're focusing mainly on mission self-sufficiency by minimizing mass, power and volume requirements through regeneration of vital resources.

NASA is committed to environmental stewardship through its initiatives, such as waste diversion and the purchase of recycled-content bio-based content and other environmentally friendly products that benefit the environment.